Synchronized motion picture and sound reproducing machine



July 21, 1931. DE MADALER 1,815,693

SYNCHRONIZED MOTION PICTURE AND SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 In 0272 tor X 75/? urLE jfida Z197,

Atforne July 21, 1931. A. DE MADALER 1,815,693

SYNCHRONIZED MOTION PICTURE AND SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 2 July 21, 1931. A. DE MADALER SYNCHRONIZED MOTION PICTURE AND SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 192'? 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 g; &1 5E.

Inventor 42% crime y A. DE MADALER 1,815,693

SYNQHRONIZED MOTION PICTURE AND SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 J 'ILK A 7" 25 b L/ TD elfidafer Attorney July 21, 1931. DE MADALER 1,815,693

SYNCHRONIZED MOTION PICTURE AND SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 In uer'ztor A 72f urDe Mda/er;

.Attoru e Patented July 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR DE 'MADALER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MEN'IS, T0 VISIONOLA MFG. CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. 1., A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE .SYNCHRONIZED MOTION PICTURE AND SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE Application filed November 5, 1927. Serial No. 281,362.

This invention relates to an improved synchronized motion picture, and sound reproducing machine.

More specifically, what I seek to cover by Letters Patent is a. structure of this class which is expressly designed and intended for home use.

One improvement is a novel Maltese cross device characterized by an arrangement of details serving to provide smooth operation and to make the structure substantially noiseless, so that it will be well adapted for home use where the operator and the audience is in close proximity to the machine.

Anequally important feature is an automatic loop maker employed for producing sufficient flex in the film to prevent breakage of the film, said loop makerbeing arranged in cooperation with the door so that it is rendered operative by the closing action of the motor casing.

Another feature of distinction is an automatic circuit break for the motor which serves to stopthe motor and the film feeding means in the event a break occurs in the film before it reaches the shutter.

A further feature ofconstruction is a pawl and ratchet arrangement cooperable with a record turn table to allow the turn table to continue its rotary motion upon the stopping of the machine in order to avoid jar and to prevent the needle in the sound box from digging into the record. I

A further advantage of the invention is that it may be employed for transmitting motion to the turn table on a talking machine such as may be already in use in the home of the purchaser.

The invention is individualized by other organizations of parts co-acting to provide individual devices whose continuity of action Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the motor, its casing, and the various drive shafts, film feeding means, and so on.

Fig. 5 is a front view showing a removable filmbox fitted in a front compartment in the motor casing.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal or a vertical section through a portion of the structure showing the shutter drive, section being on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section through the same structure showing the intermittent Maltese cross mechanism and the shutter driving means.

Fig. 8 is a section taken approximately upon the plane of the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view substantially like Fig. 1 showing external winding reels such as are used under some conditions, particularly where a relatively long picture is shown.

Fig. 10 is a side view of a modificationshowing the employment of an electrical amplifying and reproducing sound box.

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of a combined loud speaker and picture receptive screen such as is used in connection with the structure illustrated in Fig. 10

Fig. 12 is a sectional and elevational view showing the manner in which the motor is supported from a relatively large sound reproducing machine, such as would be frequently round 'in most modern homes in which this motor is employed for driving a slightly revised record table.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic erspective View showing what is hereinafter roadly referred to as an automatic loop maker.

In order that the reader may get a general base.

Em jar and to 1 rest for a metallic casing which is placed on top thereof in the approximate position shown. Attached to the rear'sideof the box is a sound wave conducting conduit connected at its upper end to the tone arm 17,

15 carrying a suitable sound box 18 which, when equipped with the usual needle is adapted to rest on a record 19 on a turn table 20.

The turn table is driven from an electric motor located within the casing 15. At this 2 time attention is invited to Fig. 4, wherein it will be observed that the reference numeral 21 designates generally an appropriate motor of a reasonably small type, having a driving shaft. One end portion 22 of this 2 driving shaft is equipped with a worm 23 having operating connection with a complemental worm element (not shown) on a vertical shaft 24. This shaft is provided on its upper end with a gear in mesh with two smaller gears 26 which in turn mesh with a complemental gear 27 on a turn table shaft 28.

Incidentally, this train of gears 25-26 and 27 are encased in a suitably designed casing 29, supported from the'rear wall of the main motor casing 14. Moreover, a beveled gear 30 is rigidly fastened on the upper end of the shaft 28, and this is employed for driving the turn table. In this connection, it is to be stated that the turn table carries on its under side, a pawl 31 (see Fig. 3), which is adapted to ratchet over the teeth on the beveled gear. As shown in this same figure, the lower ends of the shafts 28 is journaled in a bearing in a removable bracket 32 carried by the rear side of the casing.

With this arrangement, it is understood that power is transmitted from the motor 21, '(Fig. 1), the shaft 22 and worm drive through the shaft 24. Then through the train of gears, motion is transmitted to the vertical shaft 28 which rotates the beveled gear 30 and this, through the action of a pawl, 31 on the under side of the turn table, serves to rotate the turn table in the proper direction for playing. 7

The purpose of this arrangement is to allow the turn table to continue its revolu tions upon stopping of the motor to overcome revent the needle of the sound box from digging into the record. In connection with this arrangement, it will be noted that the record 19 is provided with a peripheral feed groove for the needle indicated by the reference character 33 in Fig. 2.

reiaeea This serves to stop the record at the exact point to aid in maintaining synchronism between the audible sound and the picture. The ratchet mechanism aids in permitting the turn table to be rotated rapidly around and to be placed in the exact position to facillitate the starting.

Considering further the sound reproducing part of this invention, 1 would state that I propose to provide a portable horn, tone arm, and other parts as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. In some instances, the purchaser may want to use his own phonograph for playing the records suclras are used in conjunction with this invention. It is possible to do this, with my invention for it may be employed as represented in Fig. 12 for example.

It might be stated-in this connection, that the turn table 20 and the ratchet 21 constitute a single unit which can be slipped off of the upper end'of the shaft 28 which projects sufficiently above the gear 30, to permit this separable coupling. Thus it will be seen that the actual means for providing a driving connection between the shaft 28 and the turn table 20, is through ,the medium of the gear 30 and the ratchet 31. l

As before stated, the turn table is free to ratchet over the gear and turn in one direction. Also, the gear 30 which is fastened on the shaft 28, is removable with the shaft 28.

Incidentally, this shaft is provided as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4;, with outstanding pins 34 receivable in the grooves in the upper side of the gear 27. This provides a coupling btween the shaft and the gear 27. This coupling being separable, the shaft can be removed from the central openingin the gear 27. Having taken off the turn table and having removed the shaft 28 and the gear 30 which is associated therewith, and also removing the bracket 32, which is detachable, we now substitute a similar shaft 35 (see Fig. 12). This shaft 35 slips down through the central opening in the gear 27 and is pro vided with coupling pins (not shown), which provide a driving connection with the gear.

It is also provided at its bottom with a coupling pin 36 adapted to have separable driving connection with aseries of gears in a gear box 37. This gear box is simply laid upon the petition board 38 in the talking machine 39. The innermost gear however, is exposed as at 40, and is adapted to mesh with a gear equipped collar 41 on the under side of a substitute turn table 42.

In this connection, it might be mentioned that a special turn table will be provided and equipped with the gear collar 41. It is also to be mentioned that the motor casing 15 is constructed to accommodate removable hooked suspension brackets 13 which hook over the rim of the machine 39, to support the motor casing 15 on the outside of the machine, and in a position for projection of' Thus, it will be seen that the motor, thru the medium of the simple drive just described, can be employed for driving the special turn table 42, on the usual phonograph. This makes-it possible to do away with the portable horn structure 14 already described.

While considering the sound reproducing part of the invention,'I also wish to mention a means for maintaining proper timing and synchronism and to'insur'e more positive ac- .tion. Here Iinvite'attention to Fig. 2 Where- The invention so far considered has been directed more particularly to the sound re-. producing means.

We shall now consider the motion picture part of the invention, and in this connection, attention may well be called to- Fig. 4, which shows the relative arrangement of the major details. It is to be stated first, that the motor casing has a compartment formed in its afrontto accommodate a removable film box as shown in Fig. 5 and access is had to this compartment by a downwardly swinging hingedly mounted door 46. It will be noticed that this door is equipped with a conventional rotary shutter 47 centrally located and a picture projecting lensgenerally indiiated by the reference character 48, see

The shutter, asshown in Fig. 4, and alsoin Fig.7 is provided with a small rotor 49 carrying a spring coupling 50 occupying the position shown in Fig. 7, when the door is closed. As shown in Fig. 7 the spring 49 is cooperable with a recess ma knurled head 51 on the outer end of a shaft 52 journaled in appropriate bearings for rotation. The shaft 25 is provided with a pinion 53 in mesh with an idler gear 54, disposed in close proximity as shown also in" Fig. 8. The gear 54 is in mesh with a small pinion 55 .on the forwardly extending end portion 56 of the motor shaft. p

The motor shaft car'ries',as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a disk 57 provided with a concentric outstanding rim 58 split on one side to provide a gap 59. This gap is bridged by a fiat spring 60a'nchored on the peripheral portlon of the disk as shown better in Fig. 8. The spring is arcuate in form,and carries a central roller-61, which is adapted to move successively into the seats 62 in the Maltese cross.

As is usual the Maltese cross is mounted on toothed film feeding drum 64. This Maltese mechanism runs in appropriate hearings in a suitable soft lead case, a proper lubricant and the present flat arcuate spring carrying the roller cooperating with the seats in the Maltese cross elements, serves to provide a substantially noiseless and a smooth action. In fact, the spring acts somewhat as a shock absorber.

Referring again to Fig. 4, it will be noted that there are two spaced parallel shafts 65 and 66 located in the upper portion of the motor casing or housing and these being journaled for rotation in suitable bearings, and the forward ends extending out and into the film box compartment. The extending end portions carry additional film feeding drums, 67 and 68 which are disposed in alinementwith the drum 64, thusproviding a set of three drums which serve to feed the film 69 across the centrally located film table or plate 70.

The shafts 65 and 66 have operating connection with a right angularly disposed power supplying shaft 71 which in turn receives its power from the aforesaid vertical shaft 24, it being remembered that the shaft 24 is driven directly from the worm drive of the motor shaft 22. At this time, I may conveniently refer to a series of pivotally mounted. brackets 72 located in the film box compartment as shown in Fig. 5, and carrying 45, (see Fig. 5), which is especially designed here to fit in the front compartment of the motor casing, is provided with the reels, (not sliown), upon which the film is wound. For example, the film travels in a direction from left to right, and the last named figure being wouiid off of the reel shaft 74 onto the complemental reel shaft 75. Incidentally, the shaft 74 is provided with a small s ur'gear 7 6 which is intended to' mesh with a bear on a removable tank (not shown);

This crank is fitted onto a stub pin or axle 7 7 located on the outside of the film box, and when it meshes with the spur wheel 76 it permits the film to be wound off of the reel 75 onto the reel 74. This is for rewinding by hand. In the normal operation of-the ma chine, however, the motive power is provided for winding the film off 0 the reel 74 onto the one 75. This is accomplished by providing additional power shafts 78 and 79, these being located in the motor casing beneath the. aforesaid shafts 65 and 66 (see Fig. 6).

The shaft 79 which drives the reel 74, is driven from a flexible belt or spring 8O trained over pulleys on the shaft'79 and the motor shaft 56. As shown in Fig. 6, a pulley 81 is provided here for cooperation with the sprin drive 80'. The shaft 78 (see Fig. 4 also), is riven by a spring belt or its equivell 1,81

alent 82 from the shaft 66. As shown in the last-named figure as well as in Fig. 0, a hand lever 83 is provided and pivotally mounted, and operatively connected with the shafts 78 and T9, permitting either one or the other of these two shafts to be shifted to drive the one or the other of the wheels in the aforesaid film b'OX 15. Thusithe film can be wound in the direction of operation, or can be rewound when the picture is finished, by this motive power, and through the medium of the shafts 7 8 and 79.

Appropriate clutches are provided between the shaft and the reels in the film box,

these clutches being of any appropriate con-' struction. It might be noted that the shaft 78 is provided with another pulley 8% (see Fig. 6) over which a spring belt 85 is trained, this belt extending outwardly through openings in one end wall of the casing, and being adapted to drive an external wheel whenever desired. lit might be stated here, that in some instances, particularly where a long pic ture is being shown, the film box a5 may be dispensed with, and ,the film operated on the external reels 86 and 87 shown in Fig. 9.

These reels, by the way, are mounted on arms 88 which are separably connected with the end walls of the motor casing 15. One heel 87 is preferably constructed with a pulley to accommodate the belt 85. Thus power can be transmitted to this reel 87 from the shaft 78 through the medium of the belting 5. When the reels are removed, the belt 85 can be hooked back against the end wall and engaged with one of the retaining hooks 89 as shown for example in Fig. 4:,

Asbefore stated, the invention also embodies what is designated as an automatic loop maker. A perspective view of a diagrammatic nature appears in Fig. 13, and as here shown, the loop maker comprises a substantially T-shaped member, the head of which is designated b the reference character 90. The ends 0* this head are downturned and carry outstanding pins 91 which are intended to engage the film 69 between the guide drums, as represented in this figure.

I The T-shaped member also includes a de pending stem 92 surrounded by a coiled spring 98, and extending through an appropriate guide. @n the lower end of this stem is a clip 94, which is intended to be. engaged by an actuator 95 carried by the hinge head of the door 46. This actuator is provided with an especially designed nose which engages the similar part on the clip 94. With the loop maker thus located, it is obvious that when the door is hung up, the actuator 95 i will come into engagement with the clip 94 and at an appropriate time with exerting a downward pull upon the stem 92 against the tension of the spring 93.,

This will actuate the pin 91 downwardly, in turn exerting a downward stress upon sees the film to cause it to loop downwardly at the two points represented in dotted lines. Incidentally, the ratchet mechanism here is designated at the point 96, and permits such looping of the film.

It will be observed that the reference character 97 designates generaly a lamp housing, hingedly mounted on the motor casing through the medium of a swingably mounted arm 98, (see Fig. 5). 0n the other hand the reference characters 99 and 100 designate the electric switches.

Now referring to Figs. 10 and 11, it will be seen that a separate bracket arm 101 is provided and is capable of detachable connection with the motor casing. It is constructed at its rear end with an upstanding socket 102 for removable reception of aswivel pin 103, such as is carried by the electric film box 104 and its carrying arm 105. The wire 106 leads to a loud speaker 107 having an appropriate supporting base 108. Adjacent the upper discharge mouth of the horn and mounted on the front, is a screen 109 adapted to receive the motion pictures.

Thus, the motion pictures are displayed on a small screen located at point where the sound waves emanate from the loud speaker, and with this arrangement the loud speaker being portable and connected with the sound reproducing machine and motion picture ma chine to a flexible wire can be placed at a suitable point in the room.

Attention is now invited particularly to Fig. 4, wherein it will be observed that the reference character 110 designates a flexible contact spring= anchored in such. .a way that its free endportion cooperates with a motor cut-out. The spring has its intermediate portion cooperating with a sliding pin 111 having a head 112 at its outer end located over the table 7 0 and in the path of move ment of the film. Tn fact, the edge of the film normally rides against this head 112, and forces the pin. 111 inwardly to move the Contact 110 in engagement with a complemental contactfor ,losing the motor circuit. In other-words, it is to be assumed that as long as the film is unbroken and bears against the head 112 it will maintain the motor circuit closed. However, if a break should occur in the film at a point before it reaches the shutter, such break will permit the spring 110 to force the pin 11 outwardly whereby the circuit will be broken as shown in Fig. d.

Other mechanism details are herein shown, but need not be specifically described since it is believed that a clear impression of the invention can be had from the description now given. It is understood of course, that I am well aware oi the fact that the broad combination of a sound reproducing means and a motion picture machine having concurrent operation, is not new. ll am not aware however, of any patented or marketed priate levers.

With this arrangement, it is possible to re a tail the record or records, and a miniature film which is hardly more than a half inch wide in a single passage for a nominal cost for home use. With this in view, means has been provided for assuring the proper placement of the record by unskilled hands on the record table, the same being held against accidental slipping by retaining means.

In addition the record has an indicating groove, so make sure that the needle will be placed at the proper point for starting the record. In fact, this groove amounts to a feed groove, causing the needle to enter the record groove at just the proper time for synchronous operation with the motion picture. The commercial, as well as the mechanical advantages of an apparatus of this class areevident to persons familiar with inventionsof this class. Since the operation is quite clear, it is believed therefore, that a morelengthy, description. is unnecessary.

Having thus describedby invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a synchronized motion picture and sound reproducing machine of the class described, a rotary motor shaft, a second driven shaft, a film feeding element carried by said second shaft, a Maltese cr'oss also carried by said second shaft, a disk rigidly mounted on said first motor shaft andlocated in close spaced parallel relation to said Maltese cross, a concentric annular .rim carried by one face of the disk and located for cooperation with the wing of said Maltese cross, said rim being formed with an opening on one side to accommodate the wings in'a customary manner during the rotation of said Maltese cross, a flat arcuate spring'rigidl fastened at one end to the disk, bridging t e opening in said rim and loosely fa'stened at its opposite end to said disk, said springs flexing outwardly and away from the disk at thelast-named end, and being located to move into contact by the driving shaft which is mounted a with one side of the Maltese cross, and a roller'equipped pin on thecentral portion of said spring located for successive reception in the seats of said Maltese cross.

2. In a synchronized motion picture and sound reproducin machine, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a lm feeding element carried a Geneva movement connected between the motor shaft and driven shaft, and comprising a slotted element mounted on the driven shaft, and a roelernent connected to themotor shaft, rotary element carr ing a spring,.-on or engaging said tar said

slotted element. 4 v

3. In a ed motion picture and sound reproducin machine, a motor shaft, a driven-shaft, a fiIrn feeding element carried o by the driven shaft, means connected between the motor shaft and the driven shaft for imparting intermittent movement to, the driven shaft, said means includinga spring mounted actuating element.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

ARTHUR DE MADALER. 

